Multi-server protection (Using Solution-Pac Power Management Software)

Traditional Multi-Server Protection

When it comes to protecting several servers, UPS/Network communication must take into account the variety of Operating Systems in use. When several servers use the same O.S., it is possible to shutdown all of them by sending the command to only one server (master), which will send it again to the other servers (slaves). But in the recent past, it was not possible to apply this method if the servers were running different operating systems. The shortcomings were:

• Limitation: 1 UPS per Operating System

• Difficulty to offer one central UPS to protect all servers at the same time

Central Protection of Multiple Servers (Old Way)

The only solution to protect several servers running different operating systems with one central UPS was to buy an additional piece of hardware. Apart from the cost, the shortcomings were numerous:

• Reduced reliability due to multiple connections

• Basic communication (dry contact) only

The Benefits of MGE Distributed Architecture

MGE introduced a brand new, cutting edge solution back in 1995 with Solution-Pac. Power-related actions like a shutdown command are no longer sent to the server via a direct serial cable but over the network. This has been possible with the widespread use of network layers like TCP/IP. MGE modular solution requires the installation of different modules on the various systems that the UPS protects:

• A proxy agent (UM-Agent module) on the system which communicates with the UPS

• Shutdown clients (UM-Client module) on all servers that need to be shutdown
  
   

MGE's solution is ideal for Enterprise networks or central protection of data centres with a large three-phase UPS:

• No additional hardware

• Can support any heterogeneous environment

• Each server can be assigned different actions in case of any power event

• Up to 24 servers can be shutdown simultaneously using the standard UM Agent software module

With the UM Server software module, you can fan out any trap from a UPS to up to 127 servers. As several UM Servers can be daisy-chained, there is virtually no limit to the number of servers that can be controlled with MGE solution. UM Server is the perfect solution for large 3-phase UPSs protecting  servers farms centrally. UM Server must be installed on a Windows NT server, but can send trap to whatever operating system on the network.